"Discovering the Treasures of Lebanon and Jordan & Exemplary Private Residences" Sponsored by Institute of Classical Architecture & Art Arranged by Pamela Huntington Darling, Exclusive Cultural Travel Programs Thursday, October 27 to Tuesday, November 8, 2011 The Institute of Classical Architecture & Art is pleased to announce its first, unprecedented, private tour to Lebanon and Jordan, renowned for their unparalleled heritage, culture and warm hospitality, priding more spectacular UNESCO World Heritage and archeological sites than many countries. During twelve extraordinary, inspirational days and evenings, our exclusive program, organized by Pamela Hunting Darling, will offer participants expert-guided visits, conducted by internationally renowned archeologists, historians, and architects, to legendary, unrivaled sites, some inaccessible to the public, erected during the Phoenician, Greek, Roman, Nabatean, Umayyad, Crusader, and Ottoman periods, superbly preserved, as well as momentous sites of 18th to 21st century architecture. We will also be the privileged guests of distinguished international hosts—Ambassadors, Statesmen, members of the Royal Family of Jordan, private collectors, renowned architects, artists, and interior designers—for luncheons, cocktail receptions and dinners in outstanding private residences and palaces—not open to the public—housing the highest level of architecture, décor, and rare and extensive collections of art. This once-in-a-lifetime journey will commence in Beirut, Lebanon, acclaimed the “Paris of the East”, for 5 extraordinary days and 5 nights. We will then fly to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, considered one of the pivotal centers of the Middle East for its heritage, culture and international development, for 7 glorious days and 7 nights. We will reside in 5-star luxury hotels, offering all the amenities of 5-star European luxury hotels: pure luxury, relaxation, and splendid décor, surroundings and views, spas, fine cuisine, hospitality to perfection, and high-speed Internet and Wi-Fi access. We will stay at Hotel Le Gray in Beirut, the Four Seasons Hotel & Spa in Amman, Kempinski Hotel Ishtar & Spa at the Dead Sea, Mövenpick Resort in Petra, and Kempinski Hotel & Spa in Aqaba. Tour price: (1) Full tour of Lebanon & Jordan: 12 days/12 nights: $9,000 per person double occupancy; $1,500 single supplement. (2) Lebanon only: 5 days/5 nights: $4,000 per person double occupancy; $900 single supplement. (3) Jordan only: 7 days/7 nights: $6,000 per person double occupancy; $750 single supplement. Prices are based on 12 participants minimum (20 maximum); and a fully tax-deductible $500 donation to ICAA. For more information and to reserve, please call or email Pamela Huntington Darling at: Tel. +33 1 45 67 62 81; Email: [email protected] . This exclusive tour is designed for discerning travelers, enthusiasts of emblematic historical and contemporary sites, admirable residences housing remarkable décor and art, seeking a unique cultural experience, including personal encounters and exchanges with experts and leading members of the Lebanese and Jordanian community. Suggested Flights (at cost): Wednesday, October 26: 6:15 pm depart New York (JFK): 2:05 pm arrive Beirut (BEY) on Thursday: Air France 17 / 566 (connect in Paris CDG) or 6:15 pm depart New York (JFK): 3:45 pm arrive Beirut (BEY) on Thursday: Air France 17 / 564 (connect in Paris CDG Tour Highlights Thursday, October 27 to Tuesday, November 1, 2011: Lebanon Lebanon is a unique cultural destination. With 6,000 years of history, one of the oldest, continuously inhabited countries in the world, it is rich in diverse cultural heritage of the civilizations that have left their inimitable imprint, many of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Lebanon also offers breathtaking natural beauty, where mountains slope to meet the Mediterranean Sea, and where valleys dotted with rivers and forests are abundant. Beirut, the "Paris of the Middle East", named the top place to visit in 2009 by The New York Times, is a fascinating city, the focal point of the region's cultural life, renowned for its cultural activities, art, theatres, fashion, cuisine and nightlife, where the past and present blend harmoniously, and where creativity in every area is in full effervescence. Professor Antonia Kanaan, highly considered for her knowledge of the region, will be our expert lecturer in Lebanon. Thursday, October 27 Arrival at Hotel Le Gray, Beirut Private visit with Raymond Audi and May Ogden-Smith of the Audi Mosaic Museum in Beirut, housed in a prestigious palace, splendidly restored, priding a unique, spectacular collection of mosaics and artifacts from the Phoenician, Greek, Roman, and Umayyad periods. Welcome dinner at the residence of prominent New York City/Beirut artist Nabil Nahas, friend of ICAA, whose art is internationally recognized and whose Beirut residence is featured in the Elle Decor USA April issue, a spectacular home “filled with a mix of rare finds, with Indian inlays, 1940’s furniture, and an impressive collection of art and sculpture…a definite must see.” Distinguished members of the community will be invited to welcome us! Friday, October 28 Byblos, the first city in Phoenicia, around 5,000 BC, and one of the oldest, continuously inhabited cities in the world; one of the most important religious, commercial and cultural centers of the Mediterranean during the Roman period. Visit to the Phoenician temples, the Crusaders castle, the ancient port and ramparts built by the Crusaders. Private visit with distinguished architect Nabil Azar to observe what prominent architects are accomplishing in rebuilding Beirut. As well as contemporary architectural commissions that are traditionally inspired, we will observe restorations including Saint George cathedral, built in 1729. The striking combination of traditional and ultra-modern architecture is exemplary of Beirut’s central district: eclectic and exhilarating. Cocktails and dinner at the residence of Elie Gharzouzi, internationally renowned interior designer, one of the most stunning, classically inspired contemporary seaside homes in Lebanon priding the ultimate in architecture, décor, works of art, and splendid views of the Mediterranean, with prominent members of the Lebanese community. Saturday, October 29 Baalbek, one of the most moving sites in Lebanon–its greatest Roman treasure–priding two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, counted among the wonders of the ancient world. The largest and most noble Roman temples ever built, among the best preserved, their monumental proportions proclaimed the power and wealth of Imperial Rome. 2 Anjar, a stronghold built by the Umayyad dynasty in the 8th century, the only archeological site entirely Arab in Lebanon, a stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site, revealing a regular layout reminiscent of the palace-cities of ancient times, a unique testimony to city planning under the Umayyad reign. Cocktails and dinner at the residence of aesthetes and architects, Joseph Achkar and Michel Charrière, a majestic 18th century palace of a former Ottoman governor of Lebanon, featured in Architectural Digest, fastidiously restored by the proprietors, perched above the hillside village Hosrayel, near the ancient city of Byblos. Shaded by eucalyptus trees and gardens, the interior features the owners' stunning décor of museum-quality antique textiles, furniture and decorative arts. Sunday, October 30 Private visit with the curator of the National Museum of Beirut and its major archeological collection, over 1,000 artifacts covering 6,000 years of civilization and heritage, from prehistoric times to the medieval Mamluk period, including a remarkable collection of ancient Phoenician objects, testaments to former glories and empires. Sidon, a 12th century Crusader-period building on the harbor, with spectacular views of the Sea Castle of Sidon. Tyre, Phoenician, Greek-Roman, then Tyre of the Crusaders, today a UNESCO World Heritage Site, priding significant archaeological remains, mainly from Roman times; including the Triumphal Arch, the Crusader cathedral, the Roman hippodrome from the 2nd century, one of the best conserved of the Roman period, and the Necropolis. Bsous, Private visit and dinner with George Asseily, Secretary General of the Arab British Chamber of Commerce, and Alexandra Asseily, at their ancient and remarkably restored Silk Museum in Bsous, followed by dinner in the gardens of their exquisite residence, “La Magnanerie de Bsous”, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Monday, October 31 Private Visit of Beiteddine Palace with Madame Nora Jumblatt, Member of Beiteddine Festival’s Executive Committee, overlooking a terraced mountainside, built over 30 years for Emir Bachir Chehab II, considered a masterpiece of early 19th century classic Lebanese architecture; with courtyards, monumental gates, elegant arcades, beautifully groomed gardens and terraces dominating a steep, precipitous valley; and its impressive collection of Byzantine mosaics, decorated ceilings, marble mosaic floors, luxurious Turkish Baths and harem suites. Luncheon at the residence of Raymond Audi, Chairman of the Audi Bank, and May Ogden-Smith, in Beit Ed- Dine, restored by renowned architect Habib Debs, a perfect harmony of ancient and contemporary architecture surrounded by a landscape offering marvelous views, and an extraordinary décor and outstanding collection of art. Deir Al Qamar, a picturesque village overlooking the region with many well-preserved historical buildings,